They just realized their penises hadn't grown any longer! Gotta buy a big diesel truck now to blow smoke on everyone. Re-check penis size again later.

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Hmmm... I have a big diesel truck. We have a wandering lifestyle, and the truck is necessary to move the 5th wheel or the boat... we spend far more time living on the boat or in the 5th wheel than in our "vacation home." I've also owned a bunch of motorcycles, including various Harleys. My penis is fine, thanks for asking... no need for you to check it. I guess we all have different hobbies and lifestyles.

Since it is our only 4 wheel conveyance, my wife also drives our big diesel truck. She has no penis at all. You should see her handle a bike, though... she has more balls than many guys I've ridden with. No need to check that, either - it's a metaphor.

Captain Jim

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Judging someone by what they ride or drive, or the number of miles on the odometer, seems petty and judgmental to me. Of course, I'm sure I did that in my younger years, too... before I matured enough to appreciate what really matters.

Consider this: if a guy roars by on a new Harley...
A young kid thinks: Cool bike!
An adolescent thinks: I could pick up chicks if I had a bike like that!
A 20 something thinks: I wish I could afford that.
A 30 something thinks: I bet he doesn't have a mortgage to worry about.
A 40 something thinks: When I get the kids out of the house, I can have one of those.
A 50 something thinks: I would look like I could pick up chicks if I had a bike like that.
A 60 something thinks: I shoulda bought something like that back when I was still working.
A 70 something thinks: Cool bike!

Of course, all of the above is WAY over-generalized. I only wrote it to illustrate that we all approach things from different places, due to our situation and experience. When someone rants about what someone else has or does, it is usually more telling about the one ranting. There are more used Harleys for sale because Harley sells more new bikes. Someone isn't "a better biker" if they ride in the rain or snow. I used to ride, no matter what the weather... I was young and stupid, and felt I had to prove something. None of us sign a contract to ride "rain or shine, dark or light." Get enough life experience, and you will find that each of us has to pick our own path. Oh, you might learn something from someone who has more experience... but life teaches us that you probably won't - you'll have to learn it the hard way, just like everyone else.

The legions of low-milers are a FANTASTIC source of cheap, barely-used scooters and motorcycles. Remember, we LOVE these soulless bastards.

Whatever you do, DON'T shame them into riding more.

We've got a really good thing going here. Don't screw it up.

And it's not just a Harley or scooter thing, too -- lots of people watch "Long Way Round/Down/Up/Over/Through/Underneath", browse ADrider.com for a few months, buy an enormous KTM, BMW or V-Strom or whatever, bolt on 300 pounds of luggage and farkles...

...and then scare themselves absolutely shitless the first time they ride down a gravel road. When they get home, they're so shaky and sweaty they drop it in the driveway. $3,000 worth of Aerostich gear goes in the closet, they pop a beer, log in to ADVrider, and bitch about the tires and "twitchy throttle".

The big thing around here is 3/4 ton crew cab 4WD trucks lifted so high you need a ladder to get in them, with about 20 shocks, and huge off road tires. Some gas, some diesel. Many of the diesel trucks have been set so they make a lot of black smoke on acceleration. But one thing you notice about all of them is that they are spotlessly clean, obviously never been off road. The drivers of these trucks like to do a lot of tailgating. They are definitely compensating for something.

Hmmm... I have a big diesel truck. We have a wandering lifestyle, and the truck is necessary to move the 5th wheel or the boat... we spend far more time living on the boat or in the 5th wheel than in our "vacation home." I've also owned a bunch of motorcycles, including various Harleys. My penis is fine, thanks for asking... no need for you to check it. I guess we all have different hobbies and lifestyles.

Since it is our only 4 wheel conveyance, my wife also drives our big diesel truck. She has no penis at all. You should see her handle a bike, though... she has more balls than many guys I've ridden with. No need to check that, either - it's a metaphor.

Captain Jim

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Judging someone by what they ride or drive, or the number of miles on the odometer, seems petty and judgmental to me. Of course, I'm sure I did that in my younger years, too... before I matured enough to appreciate what really matters.

Consider this: if a guy roars by on a new Harley...
A young kid thinks: Cool bike!
An adolescent thinks: I could pick up chicks if I had a bike like that!
A 20 something thinks: I wish I could afford that.
A 30 something thinks: I bet he doesn't have a mortgage to worry about.
A 40 something thinks: When I get the kids out of the house, I can have one of those.
A 50 something thinks: I would look like I could pick up chicks if I had a bike like that.
A 60 something thinks: I shoulda bought something like that back when I was still working.
A 70 something thinks: Cool bike!

Of course, all of the above is WAY over-generalized. I only wrote it to illustrate that we all approach things from different places, due to our situation and experience. When someone rants about what someone else has or does, it is usually more telling about the one ranting. There are more used Harleys for sale because Harley sells more new bikes. Someone isn't "a better biker" if they ride in the rain or snow. I used to ride, no matter what the weather... I was young and stupid, and felt I had to prove something. None of us sign a contract to ride "rain or shine, dark or light." Get enough life experience, and you will find that each of us has to pick our own path. Oh, you might learn something from someone who has more experience... but life teaches us that you probably won't - you'll have to learn it the hard way, just like everyone else.

The big thing around here is 3/4 ton crew cab 4WD trucks lifted so high you need a ladder to get in them, with about 20 shocks, and huge off road tires. Some gas, some diesel. Many of the diesel trucks have been set so they make a lot of black smoke on acceleration. But one thing you notice about all of them is that they are spotlessly clean, obviously never been off road.

Consider this: if a guy roars by on a new Harley...
A young kid thinks: Cool bike!
An adolescent thinks: I could pick up chicks if I had a bike like that!
A 20 something thinks: I wish I could afford that.
A 30 something thinks: I bet he doesn't have a mortgage to worry about.
A 40 something thinks: When I get the kids out of the house, I can have one of those.
A 50 something thinks: I would look like I could pick up chicks if I had a bike like that.
A 60 something thinks: I shoulda bought something like that back when I was still working.
A 70 something thinks: Cool bike!

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very cool!! almost like getting married and having kids! something always gets in the way and latter/sooner would have been better!

I would love to have a harley and go to Starbucks... just across the border in the US... But I am in my 30's and the reason is written up there!!! lol!!

I ride a scooter to work and back, and to run errands. It's ideal for around town and even on the highway. My rain vehicle is a 12 year old Miata, also a very solid machine and also scorned by the same people who seem to need to value my choices based on a different set of rules.

But, each to their own, I guess. Here's my offer: I'll drive my vehicles, you drive yours, and we each respect the other out on the road. The rest is meaningless.

I hate to pick on anyone's choice of motorcycle but I think most people who buy a new HD now do so more for the brand then the ride. The HD image appeals to a lot of folks but the first taste of a careless cager, loose gravel, animals jumping out or even........RAIN the idea fades. I ride a scooter because I enjoy it. I do get flack from the guys at work but it doesn't bother me at all. On a scooter I have no image to live up to and no one to impress. One of the guys at work is a diehard cyclist who would NEVER dream of riding his bicycle without a helmet but when he rides his Street glide it's a t-shirt and no helmet. Something I just don't understand.

I would love to have a Harley-to ride. I happen to like the way they ride. I love the feel and sound, and it doesn't hurt that they look good too. But even though I am 50 something, the reason I don't have one is on the list. I can't afford it.

For years I wanted to ride a street bike. Problem with me is, I am just too practical. While many people buy a boat (oceans are 1000 miles away, big lakes are 100s of miles away and the lakes around here are windy mud holes) or a ATV with no public place to ride, or a Harley. I can't do any of those things because my practical side won't let me. If I can't use it regularly in my daily life, I just can't spend the money on something to let it sit. A few hundred dollars ok, but $10,000- $30,000 just makes no sense to me. I travel in my job for years, owning a street bike meant parking it most of the time with weekends filled with chores and kids activities. Now I can ride, but I don't have room for a huge bike, when I'm not riding. My ATVs are 30 year old 3 wheelers that I have a few hundred dollars in and sit for 2 years but will start with a squirt of starter fluid and run like it was started yesterday. Never liked boats.
I didn't buy a big scooter till Suzuki offer 0% for 60 months, I was riding a Zuma 125 to work. I like scooters because of the underseat storage so I can fit them in my garage, where a big bike with saddle bags would just be a pain to park. I know guys with Harley's that only ride on weekends and have to look for someplace to go. At some point they decide to sell the 2000 mile 5 year old bike because they don't ride enough to justify the cost and their wives won't let them get a new toy with that one sitting in the way.
Here's my toy list, all but the Burgman400 is paid for:
2011 Burgman 400
8 Honda 3 wheelers 1-70, 2-110, 1-185s, 2-200s, 2-200x. All will run with new gas.
2-sl125 Hondas
2-ct90 Hondas
1968 Camaro convertible
Besides the B400, I don't have $10,000 in the rest over 30 years of gathering them up and fixing them. Bottom line, I got lots of toys for less than 1 big Harley and since they are paid for, I can afford to let them sit until I find time to enjoy them.

Folks, I just don't get this... I know, it's a forum - we have to have something to talk about. But, fretting over someone else's ride makes no sense to me. There was a time when all I wanted to do with my free time was go eat up some miles. I've had the pleasure of meeting a lot of two-wheel enthusiasts (biker, motorcyclist, rider, cruiser, etc, etc) over the years. If someone wants a Harley, and can afford that Harley, the number of miles he/she puts on it isn't anyone else's concern... unless you're going to buy it from him. Cost drives most people's purchases: if you can't afford a Harley, it's easy to have distain for those who can. Doesn't make sense to me, but envy is what it is.

What determines your buying decisions? Do you buy what you need? What you want? Do you buy something based on what other people will think? Marketing is proof that a lot of people make buying decisions based on image.

Imagine this scenario: you go into a powersports dealer with the idea of buying a scooter for commuting. They have two bikes on sale: a SYM HD 200 (considered by a lot of scooter folks as a good "all 'round" scoot), and a Harley Dyna Wild Glide ("70s chopper attitude")... and, here's the deal:

THEY ARE BOTH THE SAME PRICE!! $4,000.

One catch: you have to agree to keep the bike for 5 years, at which point, you must sell it back to the dealer for $500.

Which one do you buy?

For the equivalence of $700 per year, you get a practical scooter with decent under the seat storage, or a totally bad-ass H-D.

The "catch" insures you aren't taking the Harley just to sell it for a profit. Now, we're down to - money aside - what would you prefer to ride?

While you discuss this situation, money does matter. And, each person's financial situation is different. You might be able to afford a used scoot, but not a new Harley. You might be able to afford a new Harley, but not a new yacht. You might be able to afford to write a check for that $750,000 yacht, but you can't afford a new Gulfstream G5 jet. But, there are those who can afford ANY of those things, and they can afford to buy them and use 'em as little as they want.

Plus, we all know people who really can't afford something, but they go out on a limb and buy it anyway... and then can't afford to enjoy it. Like the guy who spends $100k on a fast boat (thanks to a loan), but then can't afford the 40 gallons of fuel per hour that the boat will consume.

A neighbor of ours had a beautiful sailboat. I admired that boat every time I would come and go (we live on an island, with a home on a canal) in our boat. I noticed that the boat never moved. The bottom would get cruddy, he would take it to the nearby boatyard, they would charge him a tidy fee to clean the bottom, then the boat would go back to his dock. This guy also owns a half dozen motorcycles, but that is beside the point. One day when he and I were talking (about bikes), I asked him about the sailboat. He said he always wanted a boat like that... he took it out early on, got caught in some nasty weather, and scared himself (and his wife). Being a nice guy, I offered to go out with him to get him more comfortable with the (very capable) boat. He politely declined. I asked him why he didn't sell the boat then, instead of just letting it sit.

His response: "This may sound stupid to you, but I just like having it there. I like to see it when we're out on the deck or when I look out the window. I can afford to keep it up, and I just like looking at it."

Fair enough. His money, his choice. So, that neighbor that buys a Harley and only rides it 1,000 miles a year... yeah, that's his choice. That may be just enough. I have fun riding around on my PCX, with no desire to cross country tour with it. That little scoot is just enough for my current two wheel desires. I will not be putting 12,000 miles on it in a year.

Because a person could not justify buying a new ________ (fill in the blank) and NOT using it, doesn't mean another person is wrong, bad, or a "poser" because they can justify it.

We all come at this from different perspectives... desires... budgets.

His response: "This may sound stupid to you, but I just like having it there. I like to see it when we're out on the deck or when I look out the window. I can afford to keep it up, and I just like looking at it."

Captain Jim

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This was my mother-in-law's position when she had a $60K pool installed in her back yard. She never did more than sit on the edge and put her feet in the water. And she did that only once or twice when we goaded her into it.

Amazing, all the grief she got from others.

But, there was that time her neighbor got a new 7 series BMW, so she went right out and and got a ML350...

A friend of a friend is selling his 2000 all chromed out wide glide with only 18K on it.

I don't understand how some "bikers" manage to only put only 1,300 miles a year on a bike. Yet somehow I am less of a "biker" for riding a scooter and managing to ride over 10K miles a year.

Has anyone else noticed how these low mileage bikes for sale tend to be Harley's?

OK...rant over.

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I think it a perfectly good rant. There is no good reason or logic why a 500 miles/year Harley rider should look down their nose at an 5,000 miles/year scooter rider and not acknowledge them as a biker.

But there is no good reason or logic in a lot of things - least of all people who like to hurt the feelings of others by denigrating them. You just have to remember that these people are morally and ethically lower down the food chain that you are.